Hayden, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016, was the first woman and the first African American to hold the position.

President Donald Trump has fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden as the White House continues to purge the federal government of those perceived to oppose the Republican president and his agenda.

President Donald Trump fired Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, via email at 6:56 p.m. ET on May 8, 2025. Critics are condemning his decision, which came after Hayden's appearance earlier this week before a Congressional committee, where she faced questions about a costly library modernization project.